10 Reasons to Start a Business Today

Many people only dream of starting a business. They limit themselves with countless excuses as to why they can’t actually do it. They don’t have the money. It’s not a good time. They don’t know where to begin.

We were once like those people, weren’t we? No entrepreneur — unless he’s truly a fool — ever started a business without at least some hesitation and fear. It’s a risky endeavor, to be sure. But it’s also highly fulfilling and rewarding.

So if you’ve been hiding in the shadows of entrepreneurship, here are 10 reasons you can’t wait any longer to dive in.

1. There Will Never Be a Good Time. You’ll never feel ready. You’ll continue to come up with excuses. But the truth is: there’s no time like the present. Really.

2. You Need Less Money Than You Think. Sure, we’d all love to have started our businesses with hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the truth is: most of us started with far, far less. You can always launch your business on a shoestring and then invest more into your company as you grow.

3. You Don’t Even Have to Quit Your Job. If you’re hanging on to your 9-to-5 job because of its safety net financially, or because you’ve got great benefits, you don’t have to give it up just yet. Called “moonlighting,” it’s what many small business owners do: continue working full time and launch a business on the side. Then when they are making enough money, they quit their jobs.

4. You Can Do What You Love. Not many people get to say that. Starting a business, for many, is all about being able to wake up excited to go to work and make a difference in the world. Who wouldn’t want that?

5. Rain or Shine, It’s a Good Time to Start. There are arguments for starting a business in a recession, and plenty of reasons to start one now that the global economic forecast is improving.

6. You Can Do It Better. If you’ve ever looked at existing companies and thought, “I could do that better,” that’s another reason. Leave your mark on the industry you’re interested in, and see how much market share you can steal away.

7. Your Schedule Will Be Flexible. For most entrepreneurs, having a schedule that fits their needs is a major perk. They can pick up their kids or work in the middle of the night if they want.

8. You Can Write Off Your Home Office. Being a business owner, you’ll quickly learn about all the useful tax deductions you can take, including that home office. You save money and get your spouse to stop grousing for you to clean up the spare bedroom!

9. You Really, Really Want to Start a Business. Maybe it’s fear that’s paralyzed you from doing so, but all you need is a little push in the right direction.

10. You Can Learn as You Go. You might feel like you don’t know enough about running a business, but there are blogs (like this one), books, webinars, workshops, and conferences designed to teach you.